Police, community and calendar briefs for May 13, 2013

Published: Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 10:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will conduct aquatic weed control through June 14 on Lake Rousseau near Dunnellon.

A water-lettuce and water-hyacinth sweep of the lake will use the herbicide Reward; boat trails will be maintained using the herbicides Glyphosate and Aquathol K.

Signs displaying treatment dates and restrictions will be posted.

Florida Farm Bureau to honor young farmers

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is seeking applications for its Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award Program, which is designed to recognize those between 18 and 35 who have excelled in farming/ranching operations and possess excellent leadership skills.

Contestants will be evaluated on a combination of farming operation growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and participation in community service. Judges will be looking for excellence in management, leadership development, scope of the enterprise and initiative displayed by applicants.

Applications must be submitted by May 31.

For more information, visit www.floridafarmbureau.org/programs/young_farmers_ranchers/.

CF launches $10,000 bachelor’s program

The College of Central Florida has launched its $10,000 bachelor’s degree plan and is accepting applications for fall semester.

Students can earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Management, or specializations in Agribusiness Management, Health Care Management, Management Information Systems or Public Safety Administration.

The student will pay tuition and fees up to $10,000, with the balance covered by the college. The typical cost of a four-year degree at CF is approximately $14,000. Books, lab fees and repeated courses are the responsibility of the student.

The priority admissions application deadline is July 1.

For more information, contact Randolph Bellamy at 854-2322, ext. 1543 or bellamyr@cf.edu or visit www.cf.edu.

Mobile unit available at public library branches

In partnership with the Marion County Public Library System, Workforce Connection’s new 40-foot mobile resource unit will be available at several public library branches. The staff-supported unit is equipped with 10 computer work stations with Internet access and a full suite of office tools job seekers can use. The unit will be available:

For more information, call 800-434-5627 or visit www.workforceconnectionfl.com.

Marion Senior Services menu for this week

The following meals will be provided by Marion Senior Services, 1101 SW 20th Court, Ocala. Lunches will be delivered by Meals on Wheels; dinners will be provided at Marion Senior Services. For more information, call 620-3501.

FORT MYERS — The cause of an early Sunday fire that burned at least four school buses in a Lee County lot iss under investigation, authorities said.

Fire crews responded to the scene at the East Transportation Center around 4 a.m. No injuries were reported.

The Fort Myers Shores Fire Department, which responded to the scene, said at least four buses were burned in a depot where the Lee County School District parks dozens of buses. Several other buses were checked for damage.

The fire was contained as fire officials investigated. K-9 units also were on scene.

Robert Morgan, executive director of transportation for the district, told the Fort Myers News Press that other zones would be shuttled to help transport children in the east zone. “There will not be a disruption,” Morgan said.

The area was roped off, and the remaining buses would be checked out, Morgan said. He added that the school district would determine the next steps after it receives the Lee County Sheriff’s Office initial appraisal of the incident.

“Right now we’ve sanitized the area, and we’re glad there were no injuries,” Morgan told the News Press.

Authorities were expected back at the lot Monday to continue the investigation.

No further information was immediately released.

— The Associated Press

Families join fast to end immigrant deportation

HOMESTEAD — Families and community organizers impacted by immigration raids joined fasters in Homestead who are asking for deportations to stop.

The group will gathered on Sunday during the National Fast to Stop Deportations at a service for immigrant mothers.

Two-hundred children, women and men gathered on Friday at a church where the fast was held. One mother said police have gone to her home three times in less than three weeks.

Guadalupe De La Cruz said she fasting to help families affected by raids in the community. As she puts it: “I am their voice demanding an immigration reform with a path to citizenship.”

The event was part of a national campaign that started on May 1 in California and will travel across the U.S.

— The Associated Press

Polk County ATV crash leaves 1 dead, 3 injured

WINTER HAVEN — Polk County authorities are investigating a crash between an ATV and a bicycle that killed one person and critically injured three others.

A sheriff’s office statement says a witness called to report late Saturday that a black all-terrain-vehicle was speeding without its lights on when it swerved to avoid hitting a bicycle. The ATV landed upside down in a ditch and the bicycle was found mangled nearby.

It’s not immediately known who was on the ATV and who was riding the bicycle. The fatality was identified Sunday as 18-year-old Israel Bible Jr. Injured were 19-year-old Danny Bermea Jr., 21-year-old Ginno Cano and 21-year-old Jose Luis Cano-Mendez.

— The Associated Press

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